Legacy Of The Past

Madeline hid a smile as she remembered his antipathy earlier in the evening when he had had to struggle to get drinks simply because of the crowd of newcomers.

‘I’ve never visited America,’ Adrian went on, ‘and I should welcome the chance to discuss the country with people who really know what they’re talking about. Of course I’ll come.’

‘Good. Good,’ Hetherington smiled in satisfaction. ‘I too think it should prove quite a stimulating affair.’ He turned to Madeline. ‘Do you enjoy working for our distinguished friend, Mrs. Scott?’

Madeline smiled. ‘Very much, thank you. Adrian is a very considerate employer; not a slave-driver.’

Hetherington puffed at his pipe. ‘Yes, I should think he would be, with a pretty thing like you. Can’t you jolt him out of his bachelor state? I understand you’re a widow.’ Madeline looked down at her cigarette and then with a twinkle in her eyes, she said: ‘I think Adrian is quite happy as he is, don’t you?’ She controlled her laughter.

‘We’re not children,’ remarked Adrian sarcastically, not at all amused. In his opinion, Hetherington was too keen on making preposterous remarks and getting away with them.

‘No, I’m sure you’re not,’ agreed Hetherington, chuckling himself. ‘Anyway, Sinclair, why don’t you ask Mrs. Scott if she would care to accompany us on Monday evening? I think she would enjoy it, too.’

‘I’m sure she would,’ said Adrian, nodding his approval. ‘Will you come, Madeline?’

‘I … I don’t know,’ she began awkwardly. ‘I wasn’t invited, and I really don’t think….’

‘Nonsense,’ exclaimed Hetherington, shaking his head. ‘Masterson will be only too delighted to welcome you. And after all, you won’t be alone. Adrian will be there beside you.’

Madeline hesitated, and Adrian urged her to accept. ‘Please say you’ll come, Madeline,’ he coaxed her, persuasively.

‘But Diana—’

‘—is quite capable of taking care of herself for one evening,’ said Adrian firmly. ‘Yes, Hetherington, we’ll both come. Shall I pick you up?’

‘Well … yes. That would be best, and then you can collect Mrs. Scott.’ He rose to his feet. ‘And now I must go and allow you to continue your evening uninterrupted.’ His eyes twinkled. ‘Keep him in order, Mrs. Scott.’

Madeline laughed at Adrian’s outraged countenance and Hetherington walked away, still chuckling.

‘Really!’ exclaimed Adrian exasperatedly. ‘He really is the limit! Who does he think he is?’

‘He’s a rather charming old man,’ remarked Madeline mildly. ‘I like him. He was only joking. Adrian, don’t get so heated over nothing.’

Adrian sighed and smiled ruefully. ‘I suppose you’re right as usual. He always makes me feel like one of his pupils, I’m afraid.’

Madeline laughed merrily. ‘Rather an old pupil, wouldn’t you say?’ she said cheerfully.

After they left the Crown they drove back to Madeline’s flat. It was only about ten o’clock, so she invited Adrian in for more coffee. Diana was not in when they arrived, but she came in soon after.

She was flushed and not as full of daydreams as the previous evening and Madeline felt rather relieved, if a trifle apprehensive about her rather dejected expression. She had not known how to deal with her the previous evening and it was obvious that she did not know how to deal with her tonight either. She decided to play the game as it was played to her and refused to start worrying again after such a pleasant and relaxing evening.

‘Have you had a nice evening?’ Diana asked, looking across at Adrian.

Adrian sank down into the comfort of the couch. ‘Very nice, thank you, Diana. Come and tell me about that boy-friend of yours. Did he give you a good time?’

‘Yes, thank you,’ said Diana politely. She pulled off the anorak and sat down beside him. ‘We had tea at his mother’s and then we went to the pictures. We saw a Western epic at the Odeon.’

‘I see. Was it good?’

Diana wrinkled her nose. ‘It was all right,’ she conceded. ‘We don’t always see a lot of the film,’ she remarked, watching idly for Adrian’s shocked expression.

She was not disappointed. Adrian raised his eyebrows in disapproval. Her outspoken words had shocked him. She was certainly changing this elf-like daughter of Madeline’s. Madeline was right. She was becoming a handful.

‘How was the tea?’ asked Madeline herself, coming through from the kitchen, with a tray of coffee. ‘Did you get on all right with his parents?’

Diana shrugged her slim shoulders eloquently. ‘I suppose so. His mother made some rather barbed comments about Jeff neglecting his studies recently, as though I was the entire cause, and that he would have to pick himself up if he was expecting them to send him to university in the autumn. Poor Jeff!’ Diana sighed in remembrance. ‘He looked positively furious and told her rather rudely that it was his affair whether or not he went to the university. I think he’s having second thoughts.’

‘I see.’ Madeline ran a tongue over her lips. ‘But of course, you told him he must go to the university, didn’t you, Diana? He’s quite a clever boy. His headmaster says so. You mustn’t come between him and his work.’

Diana looked mutinous, but remained silent, and Adrian and Madeline exchanged glances.

‘What did you have for supper?’ asked Diana suddenly, changing the subject, and shrugging, Madeline related the events of their evening, describing their meeting with Hetherington and his subsequent invitation to visit the Mastersons.

‘Gosh!’ Diana sounded envious. ‘Do you think I could come?’

Adrian frowned. ‘I’m afraid not, Diana. This is a grown-up affair. It would probably bore you to tears.’ Diana compressed her lips. ‘Grown-up,’ she muttered. “What am I?’

Adrian reached for his cigarette case. ‘Little more than a schoolgirl,’ he replied smoothly. ‘Diana, you have years and years ahead of you. Enjoy what’s yours today. Don’t hanker over the future before it arrives.’

Diana sighed. ‘Uncle Adrian, I don’t want a lecture. Anyway, I think it will be jolly exciting. Who will be there?’

‘Oh, the executives from the factory, I expect,’ replied Adrian. ‘They’re mostly married men, with their families over here. As I’ve said, it’s a pretty dull affair.’

‘What on earth shall I wear?’ exclaimed Madeline suddenly.

‘You’ll think of something,’ replied Adrian, smiling. ‘I’d better give old Hetherington a ring tomorrow and find out what time we have to be there. I should hate us to arrive while they’re having dinner.’

‘Oh, yes,’ nodded Madeline. ‘You can let me know on Monday.’ She stretched lazily. ‘I’m tired. It’s been a long day.’

‘That’s my cue,’ murmured Adrian dryly, rising to his feet. ‘I’ll be off. Will I see you tomorrow?’

‘You can come round if you want to,’ said Madeline easily. ‘Please yourself. If not I’ll see you Monday morning.’

‘Right. Good night, then. Good night, Diana.’

‘Good night, Uncle Adrian,’ said Diana, kissing his cheek. ‘Mind how you go.’

After Adrian had gone, Madeline carried the dishes into the kitchen and Diana followed her and picked up the tea towel to dry them.

‘Are you seeing Jeff tomorrow?’ asked Madeline, turning on the hot tap.

‘Yes. Why? Do you want me for something?’ Diana frowned.

‘Oh … er … no.’ Madeline smiled rather uncertainly at her daughter. ‘Where are you going then?’

‘Well, actually, just for a walk in the afternoon,’ replied Diana quietly.

‘Would you like to bring him back here for tea?’